Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the 10th Foundation Day celebrations of the Land Ports Authority of India  in New Delhi as the Chief Guest
LPAI is the youngest among all undertakings of the Ministry of Home Affairs, but despite its young age, within 10 years, this authority has completed a big journey to fulfill its objectives which is very appreciable
This year is the year of AzadiKaAmritMahotsav, Prime Minister NarendraModi has asked every region and entity in the country, to chart out where it will be when we celebrate the Centenary of our Independence
The Prime Minister has described this journey of 75 years to 100 years as the best time for the nation, these 25 years will be years of working to make India great through sustained hard work
The LPAI should also prepare a roadmap for its next 25 years to plan what will be the objective of our trade with our neighboring countries through land routes
We have to aim at creating an impenetrable security circle by adopting State-of-the-Art Technology
To achieve these goals, we should plan out five spans of five years and within them one-year targets should also be fixed through annual plans, then only will we achieve our goals
We have a land border of 15,000 kms and there are different challenges along this border
There hardly is any country, whose land border is as challenging as India's and hardly any country, whose land border has as many opportunities as India's
Today India is moving towards becoming a self-reliant nation under the leadership of Shri Modi, and there is no doubt that within the next 10 years India will be dominant as a production hub of the world
We will facilitate trade to seven countries adjacent to our land border to send products out of India
If we study the geography and history of our nation closely, we will realize that India is the only country in the world which is a geo-cultural country
Many countries around the world are geo-political countries, whereas India is the only country in the world that can be considered as a purely geo-cultural country
In spite of the diversity in the form of many languages, cultures, cuisines and costumes, we are a nation united by a common culture
If we study the journey of our nation it becomes clear that land routes have been of great importance, because through these routes Indian culture has been carried throughout Asia
These land routes since ancient times served as a medium of creating trade dominance for India and it was through these land routes that travelers from many countries came to India and spread its influence globally
Much attention should have been paid to these land routes after Independence, and since when it was noticed, the LPAI has completed its journey of 10 years, completing the 75 year gap
LPAI plays a vital role in boosting our economy without compromising with security and increasing business in neighboring countries
LPAI is also working to create strong and renewed ties between nations along our borders through cultural exchanges and promoting dialogue between peoples who share similar ways of living, dialect and culture
From another point of view, LPAI is also a medium of communication between the peoples of countries along our borders
It is the responsibility of LPAI to expand business by complying with rules and regulations, to create cultural exchanges faster, stronger and meaningful, which have been in existence for thousands of years, and to build stronger bonds with our neighbours outside the realm of politics and diplomacy
We have a land boundary of 15,000 kms which also needs to be protected from the point of view of safety
There is huge potential available to the LPAI to promote business, and to work in the spirit of improving relations and cultural contacts with our neighbours
The LPAI has proven both its usefulness and relevance within a short span of 10 years
When trade corridors are established, they change the nature and flow of trade and it is the responsibility of trade corridors to change the nature of flow of trade of neighboring countries
If we study the economic system of the last 600 years, we find many such routes that have given a very important place in terms of contribution to the world economy to many countries doing business all over the world
We will also have to strengthen the tradition of setting up trade corridors, but along with this, communication with security agencies and regular meetings are also very important
In the same way someone can try to jeopardize our security, so communication of LPAI with the CAPFs and security agencies deployed on different borders is also very important
People to people linkages in border areas can become a means of thwarting danger
No country can change the nature of its relations with another country, however people’s sentiments have a great influence, therefore the LPAI will have to look at this aspect from a different perspective to strengthen relations
Today the Atari Border Guarding Force residential complex has also been inaugurated, a plan has been prepared to make such arrangement at almost all places
Work on the State-of-the-Art residences inaugurated today, began 4 years ago and has been completed in a time bound manner
There was a time when there was no border infrastructure, no connectivity, no trade and in a way everything stopped, but now everything is in motion
Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi is determined to take forward the transport system through Gati Shakti and in this increases the responsibility of LPAI
Inadequate infrastructure at border posts is a hurdle in increasing regional trade and Government will improve and accelerate its pace
Our border security and border management policy is very clear, creating strong infrastructure connecting the country along borders, full implementation of welfare schemes to prevent migration from border areas, providing good connectivity in border areas, promoting public awareness and promoting trade through land borders
If these 5 points are implemented well, then I think we will do very well in all three dimensions such as managing borders, protecting borders and using borders
LPAI has many achievements but I want to thank all its employees for the good relations it has created among Hindu and Sikh devotees across the world
A mistake took place when the country was partitioned, Kartarpur Sahib was only six kms away, I do not know what went amiss, but when a festival of the first Guru used to come along, there always was a feeling of sadness
Today the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has given Sikhs and Hindus from around the world a route to visit Kartarpur for worship and the LPAI has provided this medium to express their faith
With rail connectivity across rivers and land set to increase in the days ahead, the LPAI will also have to prepare its own action plan to deal with these challenges
If technology and management are fine-tuned, no matter how big the burden grows, it will take care of itself
The Ministry of Home Affairs will provide all help needed by the LPAI as land routes had made our nation great at one time and the government recognizes this
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah addressed the 10th Foundation Day celebrations of the Land Ports Authority of India  in New Delhi today as the Chief Guest . On this occasion , Shri Amit Shah publishedreleased the LPAI’s magazine Bhoomi Port and Border Economy and also honoredsome employees of LPAI for their work over the years in the LPAI . Several dignitaries including Union Minister of State for Home Shri NityanandRai, Home Secretary, Border Management Secretary and Chairman of LPAI were also present in the function.
In his address, the Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that the LPAI is the youngest among all the undertakings of the Ministry of Home Affairs , but within a period of 10 years ,the LPAIhas completed an important journey to fulfil its objectives, and this is very commendable . He said ifone studies the geography and history of Indiaclosely , then one comes to know that India is the only country in the world which is a geo - cultural country . Mr Shah said many countries are geo - political countries , whereas India is the only country which we consider to be a purely geo - cultural country . In spite of diversity of many languages, many different cultures, cuisines and costumes , we are united and joined through a common culture . He said that if we study this journey carefully , then land routes are of great importance, because through these routes Indian culture has been spread through Asia.
Shri Amit Shah said that these land routes have served as a kind of strength for the dominance of trade for India in the region since ancient times and it was through these land routes that travellers from many countries came to India and gained knowledge from here and spread our influence around the world . He said after Independence , we did not pay as much attention to these land routes as we should have and since then the LPAI has made up the gap of 75 years in the last 10 years . This is commendable work he said . The Union Home Minister said that the LPAI checks visas, business bills and papers, regulates the law and is a legal medium of trade and movement , but if one looks carefully, the LPAI is responsible for security also. It does the important work of boosting our economy and increasing trade in neighbouring countries without compromising on security . At the same time, the LPAI facilitates the exchange of culture and dialogue between the people living on both sides of borders where people who have the same customs, dialect and culturereside . It is also working to renewrelations with ourbordering nations and making them strong. The LPAI is also the medium of communication between the people of our citizens and peoples of countries on our borders. Shri Shah said that it is the responsibility of the LPAI to ensure that in trade by following rules and regulations , make cultural exchanges that have been in progress for thousands of years faster , stronger and more meaningful and strengthen the bonding between India and the nations on our borders, away from the perspective of politics and diplomacy.
The Union Home and Cooperation Minister saidIndia has a land boundary of 15,000 kms and there is a need to keep vigil from the point of view of security. It is very difficult to work while maintaining a balance between all this aspects, but I am sure that if it is done properly, there is a huge potential available for the LPAI for trade, improvement of relations and promotion of culture with our neighbouring countries. Shri Shah said that the LPAI has proved its usefulness and relevance. Our trade corridors with Bangladesh have taken shape well and when trade corridors are established, the nature and flow of trade changes. Shri Shah said that if we study the economy of the last 600 years, then many routes will be found which created an important place for the economy of many countries for conducting business with the world. However, along with this,LPAI’s communication and regular meetings with security agencies is also very important because, someone can try to endanger our security through the medium of trade . Therefore, communication of the LPAI with CAPFs and security agencies posted on different borders is also very important. The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said people -to - people connectivity in the border areas can become a medium to avert danger. Public sentiments have great power , so if people -to- people relations are to be strengthened , then the LPAI will have to look at trade from a different perspective.
Shri Amit Shah said this year is the year of AzadiKaAmritMahotsav. It has been 75 years sinceIndependence and Prime Minister, NarendraModi has given the task of fixing a target for every area, every entity in the country to plan out where will that unit stand when we celebrate the Centenary of our Independence. The Prime Minister has described this journey of 75 years to 100 years as the best period for the nation. These 25 years are the time to make India great and a culmination of hard work. He said that the LPAI should also prepare a blueprint of its existence for the next 25 years and chalk out what will be the trade targets with our neighboringnations and other countries, through land routes in these 25 years. At the same time from the point of view of security, we will also have to set targets for creating an impenetrable security system by adopting state-of-the-art technology. He said to achieve these goals, five spans of five years each should be made and they should also have a target of one year each and it should also have an annual review, they should be continuously reviewed and those targets that have not been achieved should be identified. Only then will we be able to achieve our goals.
The Union Home Minister said that today the residential accommodation of theAttari Border Guarding Force has also been inaugurated and a plan has been prepared to make such arrangements at almost all places. He said that it gives him great pleasure to inform that foundation of the state-of-the-art residences which have been inaugurated were laid four years ago and today the task has been completed in a time bound manner. Shri Shah said that we have a land boundary of 15,000 kms and at every 50 kms there are different challenges. There is hardly any country whose land borders will have as many challenging as India's, and hardly any country whose land borders will have as many opportunities as India's land border. Today because of the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is moving in the direction of becoming a self-reliant country. Shri Amit Shah said that within the coming 10 years, India will ensure its prominent position as the production hub of the world. We will facilitate trade with seven countries adjoining our land border to send products out of India. He said that there was a time when there was no border infrastructure, no connectivity, no trade and in a way everything was stalled, but today everything is in motion. Through Gati Shakti, Prime Minister, NarendraModi is committed to take forward the transport system in every area of the country and in this the responsibility of the LPAI increases.
Shri Amit Shah said that inadequate infrastructure at the border posts was a major impediment in increasing regional trade and we will improve and accelerate it. He said that our policy of border security and border management is very clear. Build strong infrastructure connecting the country along the borders, full implementation of welfare schemes to prevent migration from the border areas, providing good connectivity, preventing migration by promoting trade through land borders and connecting with people by strengthening public communication. If we undertake these fiveaspects well then I think we will do a great job in all three dimensions such as managing borders, protecting borders and using boundaries. The LPAI can do much to create infrastructure, good connectivity, promotion of trade and people-to-people communication.
The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that the LPAI has many achievements, but today I congratulate all the employees of the authority for the good feeling that it has created for the country among Hindu and Sikh pilgrims from all over the world through the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor. He said when the country was partitioned, a mistake was made, Kartarpur Sahib was just six kilometers away, I do not know what went amiss, but there was always sadness, when any festival of the first Guru was celebrataed, then everyone would have sadness. Today the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor has given everyone a medium to strengthen their faith. Today, people all over the world, be it Sikhs or Hindus, have a feeling that the LPAI has given them a strong medium to express their reverence.
Shri Amit Shah said that in the days to come, trade from rail connectivity, rivers and land is going to increase and the authority will also have to devise its own action plan to deal with these challenges. He said that increasing man power is not the only way, although it is necessary to some degree but we have to work to strengthen the land ports authority by use of technology and systems. If technology and management are fine-tuned, then no matter however much the burden, no matter how much trade and movement will increase, it will automatically bemolded. If we do not upgrade technology and do not manage manpower, then we will face the challenge of creating chaos. Shri Amit Shah said that whatever help is needed from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry is definitely with the LPAI because once land routes had made our country great and the government believes that this road should never be closed.
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